Factors of the problems and strategies for overcoming them in Ukraine-Romania relations

1
Factors of the problems and strategies for
overcoming them in Ukraine-Romania relations
Romanian view

• Mirela Ciucur
• Resurse Association
• December 2nd, 2011

2
Romanias geo-strategic location

• The Black Sea region has been for centuries a
  geo-political strategic location that continues
  to attract opportunities for neighborhood
  cooperation in terms of economic exchange, energy
  and environmental policies and cross border
  possibilities.
• In fostering new ways of strategic development
  and supporting economic, social and political
  reform for the regional member states, Romania
  plays an important role as it not only represents
  the countrys best interests but those of the
  European Union, in its efforts to support
  aspiring members in the course of accession.
• The new role implies equally benefits and
  responsibilities at various levels on one hand,
  Romania became a donor in the actions for
  development and is gradually becoming an active
  supporter of developing states, and on the other
  hand is enrolled in monitoring actions towards
  successful integration policies, European
  identity and circular migration.

3
The Black Sea Region Relevance

• In the context of cross border cooperation around
  the Black Sea region, state partnerships based on
  historical background, cultural and traditional
  diversity and mutual governmental interests are
  likely to develop, as the case of Romania and
  Ukraine.
• One of the biggest challenges in forming a
  European community strongly united has been
  particularly the variety of cultures and economic
  dynamic of its member countries. It may also
  become its biggest strength, as on a long term,
  diversity generates progress.
• When we look at the immediate proximity of EU and
  its prospect for future expansion, the Black Sea
  region, formed by most divers nations in terms of
  cultural and historical background, economic and
  social status and even religion and society
  values may pose a real challenge but also a
  strategic opportunity, as The Black Sea not only
  that has a regional significance but also a
  global one.

4
A coherent strategy for the region

• This status-quo of public affairs may be a
  regressing factor in running a real democratic
  process in the member countries and developing
  diplomatic and economic relations outside their
  borders.
• A number of consequences are therefore generated
• insufficient ground for promoting the democratic
  values supported by an adequate law systems
• low level of public society empowerment and
  awareness regarding its capacity and rights to
  play an active participation in the states
  decision making process and represent their
  interest overseas
• the absence of economic and trade cross-border
  development in the region
• a weak presence of private sector initiative, as
  typically a healthy business environment
  accelerates economic development and positive
  governance towards international cooperation

5
A coherent strategy for the region

• A coherent strategy for the region in preserving
  the stability and security and promoting the
  development of democratic states is needed.
• While maintaining the national integrity, it
  could bring a solid ground for reinforcing the
  core values of European adherence and for
  rebalancing the poles of power in the world.

6
The role of youth

• The role of youth is not sufficiently emphasized
  in bringing a new vision of leadership and public
  advocacy. As well as the potential of cooperation
  between business environment and think tanks in
  identifying the right ways towards
  democratization and private sector development
  and creating alliances for public society
  participation and an open economy.

7
Cross-border reconciliation and conflict
resolution

• In the process of building the capacity to
  resolve cross-border issues and reestablish
  trust, external actors can play a positive
  influence, thus they are not able to impose
  solutions. A set of measures is needed to improve
  internal political environment, establish public
  advocacy alliances and raise the debate on
  relevant issues, involving - Strategies -
  Participants - Actions - ME, build ownership of
  the process within the society.
• In attempting to overcome barriers and generate
  solutions, regional cooperation has a crucial
  role in support of the local efforts for
  reconciliation, conflict transformation
  intelligence and gaining a broader perspective,
  recognizing the capacity of media and business
  actors to positively influence mutual
  understanding and long-term commitment.

8
The main areas where the two states could
act jointly to bring positive change

• The extent of affairs between Romania and Ukraine
  and perspectives for developing them further,
  with a greater impact in the Black Sea Region.
• creating ways for fostering economic cooperation,
  sustainable development and innovative business
  solutions
• encouraging youth to move and act freely across
  borders in pursuit of better education and
  professional opportunities and the possibility of
  transferring valid leadership for the future
• cross-border reconciliation and conflict
  prevention bridging communities
• empowerment of civil society in securing the
  values of democratization and good governance
• improved environmental policies aimed at
  preventing irresponsible actions and promoting
  eco-friendly industries in the region
• increased cooperation at the level of think thank
  and business environment influencing future
  opportunities for progress
• supporting social initiatives for a better
  integration process and cross-cultural exchange

9
Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest

• Clarifying territorial disputes
• Romania was sure to adopt a non-aggressive
  foreign policy, as becoming a member of NATO and
  the EU, in relation to Ukraine. Thus combating
  illicit trade and trafficking across the border
  is one of the measures needed to be taken so to
  improve economic ties between the two countries
  and foster cross-border initiatives that may be
  related to environment, civil society and
  democracy.
• Along some current initiatives towards
  peacebuilding regional cooperation are the launch
  of Black Sea Peacebuilding Network (BSPN) holding
  its regional meeting in Kiev and the Black Sea
  Peacebuilding Platform, raising the discussion to
  higher level and in broader society. Engagement
  in the region to provide support and expertise on
  peacebuilding and conflict transformation by
  PATRIR, Romania or Crisis Management Initiative
  from Finland are also very welcome initiatives.

10
Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest

• Combating Illicit Trafficking
• In order to best represent the position of
  Romania as an EU member, in relation to Ukraine
  both Romania and Ukraine representatives
  expressed their willingness to intensify
  negotiations about the agreement on small border
  traffic and relaunched the work of the
  intergovernmental commission monitoring the
  situation of the Romanian and Ukrainian
  minorities in both countries. These negotiations
  can be regarded as the resumption of political
  dialogue about the most delicate issues
  combating illicit trade and trafficking across
  the border.

11
Priorities for Cooperation and Partnership
from the Perspective of Bucharest

• Combating Illicit Trafficking
• The constant problem in bilateral relations is
  the question of the location of the Ukrainian
  minority of 60,000 people in Romania and the
  population of 150,000 Romanians in Ukraine. As
  until 2009 both countries were locked in the
  territorial dispute which was eventually settled
  in favor of Romania (the trial over the status of
  Snake Island), Romanian-Ukrainian relations are
  still being complicated by contentions relating
  to navigation on the Danube and security issues.
  Due to these unresolved divergences, it may be
  difficult to expect immediate effects in the
  process of reviving Ukrainian-Romanian relations,
  thus common work groups regarding the visa
  situation have been initiated and positive
  solutions are on their way.

12
Energy cooperation Climate and Environment

• As important as it is for its geo-strategic
  position from perspective of EU and NATO and
  their interests to secure cooperation among their
  members, the the future of bilateral relations
  between Romania and Ukraine in the context of the
  Black Sea Region is equally relevant for economic
  reasons, primarily energy and trade.
• Joint actions and projects at regional level
  should be concentrated around key problems like
  sustainable energy, organic agriculture,
  awareness raising and environmental education and
  a cooperation plan in the field of environmental
  policies.
• Initiatives for environment policies and
  construction of a tourism infrastructure and
  common actions on fisheries policy and protection
  of endangered species of dolphins in the Black
  Sea are also important aspects to consider in the
  development process of the new coastal
  territories.

13
Energy cooperation Climate and Environment

• One of the most sensitive issues concerning the
  relations between Romanian and Ukraine, is the
  maritime border delimitation and the division of
  the shelf, which, according to the UN
  International Court of Justice it could not be
  considered as the outermost point of Ukrainian
  territory. As a consequence of the court rule,
  the most part (80) of the disputed area was
  granted to Romanian, including a major portion
  (almost 70) of the shelfs substantial oil and
  gas reserves. Resolving the issue was of crucial
  importance for delimiting the line separating the
  two countries exclusive economic zones on the
  continental shelf, which is estimated to hold up
  to 100 m3 billion of gas and up to 10 mil. tones
  of oil.
• As the court interpretation doesnt consider the
  Snake Island as to be taken into account in the
  delimitation of exclusive economic zones, oil and
  gas extraction will require cooperation between
  both countries.

14
Energy cooperation Climate and Environment

• On May, 2011, both Ukrainian and Romanian
  diplomacies initiated intentions to improve the
  relations between the two countries in
  strengthening economic, transport and energy
  co-operation.
• Energy cooperation and knowledge exchange are
  also needed in the area of construction of
  hydroelectric, nuclear, coal mining and in the
  European pollution standards and participation in
  the construction of transit routes for
  hydrocarbons in the South Caucasus and Central
  Asia, perhaps including Russia. Furthermore,
  interconnecting energy projects from Romania in
  the EU energy program, will likely set the ground
  for encouraging the business sector development
  in the region.

15
A responsible operational plan of the area

• The major environmental and energy challenges of
  the two neighbor countries also in the context of
  global problems like climate change, energy,
  food, environmental contamination will most
  likely be addressed involving the presence of the
  civil society as a driving force for
  modernization, democratization and economic
  reforms that allow for a mutual transfer of
  expertise, good practices and effective solutions
  from one country to the other.
• Successful models of sea neighborhood states
  dealing with aspects of historical and
  geo-political nature, like the Baltic Sea region
  or Mediterranean region are a valid proof that a
  sustainable and coherent environment and energy
  policy could only be achieved through regional
  cooperation.
• There is a growing interest for regional
  cooperation between Romania and Ukraine and
  initiatives aimed at creation of a common entity
  to exploit the agriculture, tourism and energy
  potential and benefit from commercial exchanges
  while maintaining a steady interest for
  preservation and protection of the Danube Delta
  ecosystem may represent the logical step for the
  two states in the future.

16
Strategic cooperation

• After Romanias accession to the European Union,
  cooperation with the countries around the Black
  Sea region became even more important on the
  communitarian agenda. Several European
  initiatives have been implemented, with the
  intention of reinforcing the regional
  cooperation.
• Hence, The Black Sea Synergy is a European
  initiative for regional cooperation launched in
  2008. The EU efforts through the Black Sea
  Synergy are complementary with other EU efforts
  and policies in this region (both bilateral and
  multilateral) the European Neighborhood Policy,
  the European Eastern Partnership, the cross
  border cooperation.
• Source http//www.fondromania.org

17
Strategic cooperation

• Priorities in the European context
• Regional cooperation programs between Ukraine and
  Romania and transfer of knowledge in order to
  bring Ukraine closer to European values while
  Ukraine is expected to support the pro-European
  direction that Romania has been following as a
  member of the Eastern periphery of the EU
• The involvement of Romania and Ukraine as
  regional actors active in the negotiations on the
  conflict in Transnistria, where apparently
  Romanian-Ukrainian relations are still being at
  strain as both countries are also divided over
  the approach to resolving the local conflict
  where Kyiv holds a more conciliatory position on
  the prospect of maintaining the region's autonomy
  within the state of Moldova
• Economic and military cooperation in the region,
  particularly related to intention to install
  American anti-missile shield in Romania, in which
  case Ukraine hinted that would demand
  consultations in this matter with Romania and the
  US
• Exchanges of good practices (in the institutional
  reform area, democracy and human rights)

18
Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region

• Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme
  launched in 2009, with a total initial budget of
  EUR5 mil. www.blacksea-cbc.net
• The International Black Sea Action Day - 31
  October
• On April 21st 1992, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania,
  the Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine signed
  the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea
  Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) ratified
  in 1994.
• Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, was adopted by
  its member states on October 31st 1996, date that
  became the "International Black Sea Action Day"
  with the scope of raising public awareness of the
  regional cooperation initiated in protecting the
  Black Sea.

19
Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region

• The Eastern European Youth Cooperation (EEYC)
• The initiative started in 2002, when the National
  Youth Councils (NYC) from Moldova, Ukraine and
  Belarus decided to adopt a closer cooperation. An
  official cooperation agreement was signed between
  the NYCs of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
  Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
• The EEYC successfully run over 30 common
  activities in the countries covered by its
  membership, involving over 450 active young
  people from the region and more than 100 youth
  organizations. Its main focus is orientated
  toward activities supporting its member
  organizations, primarily youth organizations,
  members of the NYC of their country including
  educational programs, seminars and conferences,
  knowledge exchange and mutual project
  initiatives.
• Above all, the EECY network, the most extensive
  youth organization in the Black Sea area aims at
  supporting the youth policy in the region, by
  introducing its members into the main EU and UN
  forums and organizations and advocating for the
  important problems of youth in Easter Europe on
  the European and international agenda.
• Source Alexandru Coica - National Youth Council,
  Republic of Moldova

20
Recent initiatives and good practices
towards unity in the region

• Giving the diversity of cultural and historical
  background of the countries in the region, the
  Black Sea continues to offer a real junction
  point for communication and exchange. In the case
  of Romania and Ukraine, further cooperation
  between local communities regarding the
  minorities is needed in order to facilitate the
  access to cultural/educational programs for
  preservation and reconstruction of the Romanian
  speaking minorities in Ukraine and vice versa.
• While national identity is becoming increasingly
  important working to find a common ground in
  terms of political views, socio-economic and
  cultural values in the region may be challenging,
  thus developing a coherent strategy may be the
  key for future progress. Preserving the stability
  and security is of crucial importance but
  democracy and citizen participation are also
  elements of sustainability and further
  development in the region.
• Iulian Fota - Presidential counselor for national
  security (Romania)

21
Intercultural cross-changes

• Reevaluating the role of civil society in acting
  as a liaison between the two countries
  governments is therefore needed in bringing a
  positive social change in the region.
• Initiatives such as the Eastern Partnership
  Cultural Programme are only early steps in
  creating cultural and educational exchanges
  between the two states for a better understanding
  and cooperation in the sphere of civil society.

22
Common environmental projects

• Preparations for development of the European
  Unions strategy for the Danube region were
  officially inaugurated on February 2nd, 2010. The
  initiative, in which eight EU member states and
  six neighbors are engaged, will focus on
  reinforcing regional cooperation in areas related
  to development of transport infrastructure,
  protection of the natural environment and
  economic development. The Strategy was proposed
  to be approved in the first half of 2011 and its
  implementation was meant to become one of the key
  issues on the agenda during the Hungarian
  presidency of the EU.?

23
Common environmental projects

• The countries situated along the Danube have
  enrolled in this initiative, which is part of the
  European Unions regional policy. In addition to
  EU member states (Germany, Austria, Czech
  Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania
  and Bulgaria), an interest to participate has
  been declared by the Balkan states, Ukraine, and
  Moldova. The European Commission has been
  coordinating the work on the Danube Strategy on
  the basis of the resolution adopted on January
  21st, 2010 by the European Parliament.
• The strategy provides the ground for an
  intensification of regional co-operation. Its
  main goals include an improvement of the
  transport infrastructure (including on rivers),
  protection of the natural environment, promoting
  renewable energy sources as well as economic and
  social development. The Strategy has been funded
  through funds already available to member states
  as part of EU funds, including the cohesion and
  regional development funds.

24
Common environmental projects

• A vital element of the strategy is represented
  its external dimension, namely co-operation with
  Western Balkan countries, which do not belong to
  the EU. The funds assigned to become available as
  part of the strategy, are expected to accelerate
  and facilitate the process.
• Further programs focusing on tourism, improving
  the water quality in the Black Sea and common
  environmental policies with a strong research
  component, have been developed among the member
  states in the region, in addition to the
  strategy.

25
Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude

• In the context of European Unions policy towards
  its Eastern neighbors and the objective of
  external integration, the local rather than the
  global potential and position of the European
  Union imposes a new challenge can EU continue
  the process of making Europe wider? Which also
  trigger a new dimension for regional and
  bilateral partnerships among the members and
  non-members of the Union.

26
Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude

• Inside the EU, Romania has publicly and
  consistently supported Ukraines pro-European
  aspirations. Yet when it comes to mention
  Ukraines strategic partners in the case of
  Romania some hesitation needs to be overcome,
  much of this being related to the states
  sovereignty issues in the past.
• The statements of various Romanian officials,
  related to denunciations of the 1939
  Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 2010, were viewed in
  Ukraine as a reiteration of the territorial
  revisionism highlighted by Romanian nationalists
  in the early 1990s. Thus unfortunate effects of
  this kind can and should be avoided through
  increased reassurance, communication and concern
  for one anothers sensitivities.

27
Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude

• Among a general range of strategic opportunities,
  commercial exchanges between the two countries
  continue to be severely underdeveloped. After a
  dramatic fall in trade volumes, from about 2
  billion in 2008 to half of that figure in 2009,
  the trend in 2010 and 2011 has shown a steep
  rise. Nonetheless, the absolute figures are
  dispiritingly low, as is the size of cross-border
  direct investment.
• Almost two decades after the collapse of the
  socialist bloc, the two neighboring states are
  still largely ignorant about and suspicious of
  one another. There is an absolute need to build
  mutual confidence and knowledge through
  substantially increased commercial, human, and
  cultural exchanges. Virtually the only direction
  to go from here is up, a prospect well worth
  engaging.
• Source Center for European Policy Analysis

28
Position with the European Union as the
good neighbor attitude

• The European Union is also engaged in supporting
  this prerequisite by programmes aiming to improve
  the economic, social and environmental situation
  in the region, in the context of safe and secure
  borders, through increased cooperation on both
  sides of the borders.
• The main areas of intervention
• 1. Initiatives towards a more competitive border
  economy, concentrating on improving the economic
  performance of the border area through the
  diversification and modernisation, in a
  sustainable manner, of the border economy
• 2. Environmental challenges and emergency
  preparedness supporting long term solutions to
  the environmental problems faced by the border
  areas, particularly those associated with
  environmental emergencies where a joint approach
  is essential
• 3. People to people co-operation promoting
  greater interaction between people and
  communities living in the border areas.